The City of Zagreb, the Croatian capital, has always attracted tourists’ attention. Recently, this interest has been growing faster than ever before so this cosmopolitan city is an attractive destination for all visitors. Zagreb has beautiful places of historical interest, museums, the rich gastronomic offer and shopping opportunities. The Croatian capital is a long-running tale that allows you room to write your own chapters with your own impressions, something for you to add to the story. Quite simply, Zagreb has a soul! Here are 7 MUST-SEE Zagreb landmarks that are located near the Student Centre, where #LeapZg is taking place!
1) BAN JELAČIĆ SQUARE
If cities had hearts – and some most certainly do – the beating heart of Zagreb would be Ban Josip Jelačić Square, one of the city’s symbols and the quintessential subject of its postcards.Zagreb’s central square is the first port of call and the archetypal meeting place. A huge equestrian statue of Ban (or viceroy) Josip Jelačić dominates the square. Both the Ban and his monument hold important places in the stormy history of Croatia. At Manduševac Fountain, legend goes hand in hand with reality – a coin thrown into this wishing well might earn you happiness!
2) ILICA – A STREET THAT NEVER ENDS
Ilica is the backbone of Zagreb. It can be measured either in simple kilometres or by the number of chance encounters that happen down it every day. You will never see it deserted – there is always traffic down it, whether it is just passers-by, young businessmen with their briefcases, flirty girls with their eyes cast on the glittering merchandise in the shop windows, or humming trams on the night shift. Lined with shop windows and restaurants, cafés and pastry shops, Ilica is comprised of living elements that give the street its own special character.
3) ZRINJEVAC, CITY PARK
Nikola Subic Zrinski Square (famous Croatian “ban” – regional governor of imperial times) or more commonly known as Zrinjevac is a park in central Zagreb. It was the first park in Donji grad (Lower town or Downtown) and it brought a dash of modern times! Zrinjevac is a favourite part of the city for people to walk, rest an tourists to be amazed. Because of the buildings around it, today this park is like an entrance to Croatian history and art. On the north side you’ll find The Supreme Court of the Republic of Croatia, The Zagreb Archaeological Museum on the west side, The Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts on the south side, and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and the Zagreb County Court on the east side.
4) THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, A PLACE TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK OR MAKE A FINAL STOP
The Botanical Gardens, with its refurbished Garden Pavilion, contains as many as ten thousand plants from all four corners of the globe, each of them special, beautiful and interesting in their own way! Having crossed the road from the Botanical Gardens, you find yourself on Marulić Square, dominated by a monument to the Croatian writer who has given this spot his name. The area is also adorned by a masterpiece of artdeco architecture, the Former National and University Library, which is currently housing the State Archives of Croatia.
5) FLOWER SQUARE, POPULAR URBAN SPOT
In the heart of the lower town, we come across the hidden Petar Preradović Square known as “Flower Square” (or “Cvjetni trg” in Croatian). On this pedestrian square, which is a popular urban spot known for selling flowers, we often find various Zagreb events such as concerts, promotional events, political gatherings and even protests. Flower Square has an unbelievable appeal to the citizens of Zagreb and therefore always shares a buzzing ambience with life and activity. Standing on the square is a statue of the poet Petar Preradović as well as an Orthodox Church, which was built in 1866.
6) CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE ZAGREB, NEO-BAROQUE ARCHITECTURAL MASTERPIECE
Situated in the very heart of Zagreb, just a fifteen-minute walk from the town’s central Jelacic Square, Croatian National Theatre Zagreb inspires people to explore and participate in the magical realm of theater art. Countless world-famous artists, from ballet dancers to opera singers, have performed on its stage, writing history with every move made and word sung. Zagreb’s theater is a neo-baroque architectural masterpiece officially opened in 1895 by emperor Franz Joseph of Austria.
7) TKALCICEVA STREET, A PLACE WHERE THE SOUNDS OF MUSIC MIX WITH LAUGHTER
Every city has a street where people go to enjoy nightlife, and Zagreb is no different. It has Tkalciceva street, a place where the sounds of music mix with laughter and cheering round tables. But those who prefer a glass of good wine with a candle-lit meal will also find a place to call theirs on this street. Long story short, Tkalciceva is where you want to be for nightlife in Zagreb. No matter what you desire – from classy restaurants, pizzerias and fine clubs to small, intimate cafes or kebab stores, Tkalca will provide!
